Toddler goes missing after gator attack in Disney world resort

Florida officials said police are conducting a frantic search for a Nebraska toddler who was attacked by an alligator Tuesday evening as he played outside his waterfront hotel in Walt Disney World before he was dragged into a lagoon as his mortified parents looked on.

According to Police, the 2-year-old’s father tried desperately to save the boy by running into the water and wrestling the 6-foot-long gator.

However, attempts at rescuing the child failed after the ferocious reptile managed to drag the toddler into the dark lagoon around 9:30 p.m on Tuesday.

Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said at a news conference early Wednesday that the child was in two feet of water with his parents and siblings standing just two feet away near the Seven Seas Lagoon when the alligator attacked.

“The father was near the boy who was playing in the water when the alligator came up and attacked, the father entered the water and tried to grab the child but was not successful,” Demings said.

The family, whose names haven’t been released were vacationing there since Sunday, according to reports.

A Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission official said a significant effort involving over 50 members of law enforcement was being made to find the child.

“We are working on locating the child and trapping this alligator, our thoughts and prayers remain with the family during this difficult time,” the official said.

Demings said the search involves divers, helicopters, and the use of sonar to locate the boy. So far four alligators were euthanized in the search for the boy.

“We are not leaving until we recover the child, as a father, as a grandfather, we are going to hope for the best in these circumstances,” Demings said. “But based on my 35 years of experience, we know that we have some challenges ahead.”

Police officials said there have been no other reports of similar alligator attacks at the lake.